Violence has impact on public health

This summer, the Family Center is partnering with the Northwest Wisconsin Area Health Education Center, or AHEC, to participate in the Community Health Internship Program, or CHIP.

As an intern in the program, Deanna Nelson will work at the Family Center during June and July to develop wellness and nutrition initiatives for clients and staff, maintain the Family Center’s vegetable gardens to provide nutritious food for clients, spread awareness of health and wellness in the community and broaden her knowledge of both public health and domestic violence. She is currently studying dietetics at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and is excited to be working with the Family Center for the summer.

The Family Center provides safe shelter and services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and considering domestic violence is a community/cultural issue and her internship focuses on public health, Deanna’s perspective is very welcome at the Family Center.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, just 30 years ago, the words violence and health never would be used together. Now, domestic violence is prevalent in the public health world especially in regard to ongoing health concerns caused by violence such as drug addiction, suicide and other mental health issues. As the United States has become more successful in treating infectious diseases, rates of mental health related issues like suicide and homicide have risen.

Poor mental health is also associated with cases of domestic violence and sexual assault. These effects aren’t confined to the home, they impact the victim’s ability to hold a job and contribute to society.

From a 2005 study conducted by the National Business Group on Health/Center for Prevention and Health Services, on average, mental health indirectly costs employers an estimated $80 billion to $100 billion each year. Without a doubt, the effects of domestic violence add to that statistic, causing local employers a significant amount of money in health benefits and paid time off. These statistics help demonstrate public health is not only about infections or obesity, over the years public health has evolved; domestic violence is truly a public health issue, and something the community should be concerned with.

The Family Center staff work to bring awareness to these issues and provide services to those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. If you would like more information or want to get involved, please contact the Family Center by phone at 715-421-1511 or by email at info@familyctr.org.